Lake County Restaurant Week, running March 3-12, may not elicit the visceral thrill of Shark Week, but it still has plenty of bite, or bites, and in some cases full prix fixe menus created especially for this occasion now in its sophomore year.
Last year’s inaugural event was merely the appetizer, stated Maureen Riedy, president of Visit Lake County tourism bureau. More than 40 area restaurants participated and roughly 28,000 visited the Restaurant Week website, www.visitlakecounty.org/restaurantweek. This year’s Restaurant Week’s lineup has not been finalized, but as of this writing, there are dozens of participating restaurants from Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Grayslake, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Wadsworth and Wauconda.
This year, the restaurants have been organized on the event’s website in four categories: Family friendly/Casual, Fine Dining, Brew Pubs, Distilleries & Wineries and Sports Bars & Grills. Many are offering special menus during the event. For example, Big Bowl in Lincolnshire will be offering a three-course meal for $23.95 a person that includes choice of appetizer, main course and dessert.
The prix fixe menus, Riedy said, offer chefs the opportunity to “create something innovative outside of their regular menus.”
Other participating restaurants will offer special deals. Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville will dispense beer samples for 40 percent off. Bill’s Pizza & Pub in Mundelein will offer a free appetizer if you order a large pizza. Check the website for updates.
Several communities and regions have instituted restaurant weeks as a way to promote local business as well as establish the areas as dining destinations. Lake County restauranteurs broached the subject of instituting a Restaurant Week last year, Riedy said. “Many owners have sister restaurants in other areas and experienced success and wanted to introduce it here. We thought it was a great way to encourage diners to get out and try new restaurants to showcase the unique (establishments) across Lake County.”
Chicago’s Restaurant Week has been a model for suburban communities, Riedy said. “We’ve talked extensively with our counterparts with North Shore Restaurant Month.”
Some restaurants need little introduction. The family-owned Dover Straits, a Mundelein institution, is celebrating its 38th year. It offers a full menu but specializes in seafood. The restaurant participated in the first Lake County Restaurant Week and is back for seconds. “We have our regular customers and we’re always looking to get new people to come in, and the Restaurant Week is a good way to do that,” said Aris Metropulos, co-owner with his brothers Bill and Arthur.
One change from least year’s event is that it will take place in March rather than in early June. “It’s a softer time,” Riedy said of the change. “March is a better time to encourage people to go out and try new restaurants.”
Lake County dining is varied, she said. “We have so many independent restaurants and hidden gems unique to this area. Restaurant Week will continue to grow and be something people look forward to on an annual basis.”
Lake County Restaurant Week
Here is a look at some of the participating restaurants for Lake County Restaurant Week, March 3-12. Check the website, www.visitlakecounty.org/restaurantweek, for the full and evolving list and the specials the restaurants will offer.
Barrington
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Chessie’s (www.chessies-restaurant.com)
Buffalo Grove
Harry’s Restaurant: Four Points by Sheraton (www.fourpointsbuffalogrove)
Giordano’s (https://giordanos.com/menu/buffalo-grove/)
Deerfield
Jaxx Bistro: Hyatt Regency (www.deerfield.regency.hyatt.com)
Grayslake
Bill’s Pub North (www.billspubnorth.com)
Green Oaks
North Shore Distillery (www.northshoredistillery.com)
Gurnee
The Chocolate Sanctuary (www.thechocolatesanctuary.com)
Timothy O’Toole’s Pub (www.timothyotooles.com)
Highland Park
La Casa De Isaac & Moishe (www.lacasadeisaac.com)
Highwood
Disotto (www.disottoitalian.com)
Lake Forest
Francesca’s Intimo (www.miafrancesca.com)
Libertyville
545 North Bar & Grill (www.545north.net)
Café Pomigliano (www.cafepomogliano.com)
Lincolnshire
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (www.flemingssteakhouse.com
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)Half Day Brewing (www.halfdaybrewing.com)
Wildfire (www.wildfirerestaurant.com)
Mundelein
Dover Straits (www.doverstraits.com)
Gale Street Inn (www.galest.com)
Wadsworth
The Shanty (www.theshantyrestaurant.com)
Wauconda
Lindy’s Landing (www.lindys;anding.net)
Side Lot Brewery (www.sidelotbrewing.com)
Wheeling
Lynfred Winery (www.lynfredwinery.com)